- 400 m+Dead Sea shore below sea level
- No railRoad transport only
- Half dayPlan the transfer as a half-day drive
- 1 nightUsually enough at the Dead Sea
The Best Way From Petra to the Dead Sea
For most travellers already moving around Jordan, a private transfer or a rental car.
If you are travelling independently, a private transfer or rental car gives you the most flexibility. If you would rather not organise each leg, a multi-day tour from Amman handles the transport for you. The Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour (4.9 from 1,566 reviews, from $249) is the most-reviewed way to see all three: Petra on day one, a night at a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum with dinner, breakfast and a 2-hour jeep tour, then the drive back north via the Dead Sea. Entry fees are paid on site.
Petra to the Dead Sea: Quick Comparison
Who each option suits, what it does well and where it falls short.
| Option | Best for | Main advantage | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Couples, families, small groups | Direct and flexible | Higher cost |
| Taxi | Simple point-to-point travel | Easy to arrange | Price varies |
| Rental car | Jordan road trips | Maximum freedom | You need to drive |
| Organised tour | Short itineraries | Logistics handled for you | Less independence |
| Shared transport | Budget travellers | Lower cost when available | Limited schedules |
How Far Is the Dead Sea From Petra?
Far enough to treat it as a half-day road transfer, not a quick hop.
Petra sits in southern Jordan beside the town of Wadi Musa, while the main Dead Sea resort area lies farther north. The actual driving time depends on:
- your Dead Sea hotel
- the route
- traffic
- stops
- road conditions
For planning, allow several hours and avoid scheduling a tight connection at the other end.
Between Petra and the Dead Sea, travellers book a stop at Kerak Castle, the mosaic map at Madaba and the view from Mount Nebo, a Dead Sea spa and mud day, and Wadi Rum jeep tours and Bedouin camp nights to the south.
Can You Visit Petra and the Dead Sea on the Same Day?
Yes, but whether you should depends on how much of Petra you want to see.
If you only want a short Petra visit, carrying on to the Dead Sea later the same day is possible. If Petra is one of the main reasons for your trip, give it most of the day and travel to the Dead Sea afterwards or the next morning.
Petra’s Main Trail continues well beyond the Treasury, so a two-hour photo stop misses a large part of the archaeological city. Our guide to whether you need a guide in Petra covers how to spend a full day there.
Best Way to Combine Petra and the Dead Sea
A full day at Petra, then the Dead Sea the following afternoon.
Day 1 — Full Petra visit
The Main Trail, the Treasury, central Petra and, if you have the legs for it, the Monastery.
Day 2 — Wadi Musa to the Dead Sea
Drive north in the morning. In the afternoon: hotel check-in, a Dead Sea float, mud, sunset and a night at a resort.
You avoid rushing Petra and get a relaxing day straight after the walking.
Petra to the Dead Sea by Private Transfer
Best for convenience.
A private transfer is probably the simplest option if you do not want to drive. You can arrange pickup from your Wadi Musa hotel, the Petra Visitor Center area or another agreed place, and be driven straight to your Dead Sea resort, hotel, spa or another stop in the Dead Sea area.
GetYourGuide has no Petra to Dead Sea transfer, so the one we would book is on Viator: the Private Transfer From Amman or Dead Sea To Petra and Wadi Rum, whose Dead Sea–Petra option runs in either direction in a private air-conditioned car, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. It is rated 5.0 from only 13 reviews, a small record, so read the recent ones before you book. Your Petra hotel can often arrange a driver too.
Why choose a private transfer?
The main benefits are:
- door-to-door service
- a flexible departure time
- your luggage travels with you
- no fixed bus timetable
- the option of sightseeing stops
It suits couples, families and small groups especially well, because the cost is shared.
Can you add stops between Petra and the Dead Sea?
Yes, depending on your route and driver. Possible stops include:
- the Dana area
- Kerak
- scenic viewpoints
- Madaba
- Mount Nebo
Not all of these sit on the fastest route, so each one adds to the journey time. If you want a sightseeing transfer, tell the driver in advance.
Petra to the Dead Sea by Taxi
Best for straightforward one-way travel.
A local taxi can also take you from Wadi Musa to the Dead Sea. Before you set off, confirm:
- the total fare;
- the exact destination;
- whether the price is per car;
- whether stops are included;
- how you will pay.
On a long-distance taxi ride, agreeing the price in advance matters even more than usual.
Petra to the Dead Sea by Rental Car
Best for independent travellers on a wider Jordan road trip.
Driving works well when Petra and the Dead Sea are part of a longer loop, for example Amman → Petra → Wadi Rum → Dead Sea → Amman. A rental car lets you:
- leave when you want
- stop along the way
- carry luggage easily
- skip negotiating individual transfers
It is especially useful for two or more travellers. Our Amman to Petra transport and Petra to Wadi Rum transport guides cover the other legs of that loop.
Organised Petra and Dead Sea Tour
Best for travellers who do not want to manage the transport.
Some Jordan itineraries combine Petra with the Dead Sea as part of a multi-day tour. Packages may include:
- transport
- accommodation
- the Petra visit
- a Dead Sea stop
- a driver
- selected meals
This helps if you have only a few days in Jordan. The trade-off is less say over departure times, hotel choice and how long you spend at each place.
On GetYourGuide, the Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour (4.9 from 1,566 reviews, from $249) has by far the most reviews, and the Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea 2-Day Tour by Petra Magics Tours (4.8 from 273 reviews, from $205) follows a similar plan for less. With more time, the From Amman: Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea 3-Day Trip (4.8 from 223 reviews, from $499) adds a night in a 3-star hotel in Petra. Our Petra and Wadi Rum tours guide compares every format.
Petra and the Dead Sea in One Day
Possible, with careful planning.
Early morning — Enter Petra
Be at the Visitor Center as early as you can.
Morning to early afternoon — Explore Petra
The Siq, the Treasury and as much of central Petra as time allows.
Afternoon — Leave Wadi Musa
Start the drive north.
Evening — Reach your Dead Sea hotel
Check in for the night.
This works if your goal is to sleep at the Dead Sea, not to spend several daylight hours there.
Better Routes South and North
Put the Dead Sea at whichever end of the trip saves you backtracking.
Going south: Dead Sea → Petra → Wadi Rum
If you are travelling south through Jordan, this is an excellent sequence:
- Day 1: Dead Sea
- Day 2: Dead Sea → Petra
- Day 3: Petra
- Day 4: Petra → Wadi Rum
The geography works well, and each stop feels very different from the last.
Going north: Wadi Rum → Petra → Dead Sea
If you start in southern Jordan:
- Day 1: Wadi Rum
- Day 2: Wadi Rum → Petra
- Day 3: Petra
- Day 4: Petra → Dead Sea
This makes a gradual northward route towards Amman and Queen Alia International Airport. Our two-day versus three-day itinerary shows how the Petra and Wadi Rum part fits together.
What Is the Dead Sea Experience Like?
The main attraction is the water itself.
The Dead Sea’s exceptionally high salinity makes the water so buoyant that floating takes very little effort. Most visitors come for some combination of:
- floating
- mineral mud
- spa treatments
- resort pools
- relaxation
- sunset views
That is why it works so well after Petra. After a long walking day, it is almost the opposite kind of experience.
How long do you need at the Dead Sea?
- A few hours: enough to float, try the mud, shower and relax.
- One night: excellent for most first-time visitors, with an afternoon float, sunset, an evening at the resort, breakfast and an optional morning swim.
- Two nights: better if relaxing is a major priority.
On a sightseeing-heavy itinerary, one night is usually enough.
Do you need to stay at a Dead Sea resort?
No, but resorts make the visit much easier. They commonly provide private beach access, freshwater showers, towels, changing facilities, pools, restaurants and mud areas. Those facilities matter, because you will want to rinse the salty water off your skin after floating.
Practical Dead Sea Tips
Five things that make the first float more comfortable.
- Keep your face out of the water. The salty water is very uncomfortable in the eyes and mouth.
- Rinse with fresh water afterwards. Dead Sea water is extremely salty and can become uncomfortable on the skin.
- Don’t shave just before you go in. Even tiny cuts can sting badly.
- Enter slowly and float. Vigorous swimming is not the point; floating is the experience.
- Bring water shoes. Some access points are rocky or rough underfoot.
Best time of day to visit the Dead Sea
Late afternoon is particularly appealing. Temperatures may be more comfortable, the light is softer, and you can stay for sunset. It fits neatly with a morning transfer from Petra.
Petra, Dead Sea and Wadi Rum Itinerary
Three very different landscapes with little unnecessary backtracking.
Day 1 — Amman to Petra
Drive south and spend the night in Wadi Musa.
Day 2 — Petra
A full day at the site.
Day 3 — Petra to Wadi Rum
A jeep tour and a night at a desert camp.
Day 4 — Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea
North to the Dead Sea for an afternoon float and sunset.
Day 5 — Dead Sea to Amman
Back to Amman or the airport.
For day three, the private Wadi Rum: Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour (5.0 from 309 reviews, from $44) is the 4-hour jeep tour we would book, and the Wadi Rum: Bedouin Camp Stay, Full-Day Desert Tour with 3 Meals (4.9 from 289 reviews, from $47) covers the tent, a desert tour and three meals. Our where to stay in Wadi Rum guide compares the camps.
Petra to the Dead Sea FAQ
Can you travel directly from Petra to the Dead Sea?
Yes. A private transfer, a taxi or a rental car are the simplest options. There is no railway between the two.
How long does the drive from Petra to the Dead Sea take?
It depends on your Dead Sea hotel, the route, traffic, stops and road conditions. Treat it as a half-day road transfer and allow several hours instead of planning a tight connection.
Can you visit Petra and the Dead Sea in one day?
Yes, but a full Petra visit plus meaningful time at the Dead Sea makes for a long day. It works best if you only want to sleep at the Dead Sea that night.
Should I visit the Dead Sea before or after Petra?
Either works. If you are travelling south, Dead Sea to Petra is the logical order. If you are travelling north from Wadi Rum or Aqaba, Petra to the Dead Sea works well.
How long should I stay at the Dead Sea?
A few hours is enough for the basic floating experience. One night gives you a much more relaxed visit.
Can I combine the Dead Sea with Petra and Wadi Rum?
Yes. The three together make one of the best first-time itineraries in Jordan.